Ratchet-wrench.



0.1. WALLEN.

RATGHET WRENCH.

APPLICATION HLED1uLY10,19xe.

1,204,095. Patented Nov. 7,1916.

CHARLES J'. WALLEN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RATCHET-WRENCH.

Application filed. .uly l0, 1916.

To all whom t may cof/wcm.'

Be it known that 1, CHARLES J. WALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Ratchet-Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an operating lever or handle adapted particularly for use in connection with the winding shafts of dump cars or the like, although capable of use on jacks and other power devices. These articles are usually known as wrenches, and the object of the invention is to provide a safety device of the kind, by the use of which it is impossible for the operator to get hurt.

The invention is particularly directed to the means for holding the pawl of the lever engaged with the ratchet, and for releasing the same therefrom to permit the free turn of the ratchet wheel shaft, said means in the present embodiment comprising a locking lever by the operation of which the pawl is advanced or retracted.V

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe device. Fig. 2 is a detail in elevation with a face plate removed, showing the pawl and its operating lever. Fig. 3 is a detail in section showing a lug on the side of the lever, which acts to release the detent which normally engages the ratchet wheel Yon the shaft.

Referring specifically to thev drawings, 6

indicates a squared opening in a ratchet wheel 7 mounted to turn 1n a head S of the lugs 12 and 13 vwhich are engaged by a lug let projecting from lever 15 which is pivoted at 16 in the'body of the wrench, and swings in or out to retract or advance the pawl. A loop or latch 17 is pivoted to the Specicaticn of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1916.

serial No. 108,413.

handle and is adapted to swing over the end of the lever 15 and lock the same with the pawl in advanced position, as shown in Fig. 1. 0n one side of the lever is a lug 18 projecting laterally in position to strike and lift the usual detent 20 which normally engages a ratchet 21 on the winding shaft indicated at 22.

To lock the wrench to the winding shaft, for operating the latter, the pawl is advanced by swinging in the lever 15 and locking the same to the handle by the latch 17, and in Vthis position the wrench may be swung around by the operator to turn the ratchet wheel and the shaft engaged thereby. To release the wrench, and permit the shaft to run free, the latch 17 is released, and a spring 23, bearing under the lever 15, lifts the same and retracts the pawl from engagement with the ratchet, and the latter is then free to turn with the shaft.

l/Vhen the wrench is mounted on the shaft, as previously described, and operated as indicated, the lug 18 acts by contact with the detent 20 to lift the latter from engagement with the ratchet 21 thereby permitting the shaft to run free, without lifting the detent by handin the usual manner.

In either position, therefore, there is no possibility of accidental engagement or disengagement of the pawl with the ratchet wheel, which, in devices of this kind, is apt to work injury to the operator.

What I claim as new is:

1. The combination with a ratchet wheel, handle, and a sliding pawl carried by the handle and engageable with the wheel, of a lever pivoted on the handle, said pawl having a projection engaged by the lever to advance or retract the pawl.

2. The combination with a ratchet wheel and handle, of a sliding pawl carried by the handle and engageable with the wheel, said pawl having lugs, and an operating lever for the pawl, pivoted to the handle, and having a projection engaging between said lugs4 to advance or retract the pawl.

1n testimony whereof, I do affix my signature in presence of a. witness.

CHARLES J. WALLEN.

Witness:

JOHN A. BOMMHARDT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for :ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

